Unite us in your love

Hosea sees clearly what God wants for his people. He wants them to know the true God and live in righteousness, steadfast love and kindness. But as he looks at the reality, he sees that the more prosperous the people become the more they attribute their success to the false gods that they are worshipping. His message is that it is impossible to live with a divided heart and the time will come when the altars to the false gods will be destroyed. Hosea is a poet who uses striking images. ''Thorn and thistle will grow on their altars.'' When that happens they will know that ''it is time to go seeking the Lord until he comes to rain salvation upon you.'' (Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8,12.) In the gospel Jesus sends out the twelve apostles to bring his message to the lost sheep of Israel. That message is similar to the preaching of Hosea, to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Their preaching is to be accompanied by signs. They will cast out unclean spirits and cure all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. (Matthew 10:1-7). The mission that was entrusted to Hosea, then to the apostles has now been handed on to us. Hosea's summary of that mission is still relevant for us today. ''Sow integrity for yourselves and reap a harvest of kindness.'' However we have an advantage that Hosea never had. We have the gospels that bring us the example and words of Jesus. The Beatitudes of Jesus will lead us to reap the harvest of kindness of Hosea.

May your love, Lord, unite our divided hearts.